Color & Design Trends

Page 2 of 7

Nemo Tile sets the trend for tile that resembles wood.

Flooring: The Look of Wood

The look of wood has been trending in the flooring industry for quite some time, but that trend isn’t exclusive to hardwood. Laminates, vinyl tile and even porcelain tile can mimic the look of wood, offering its beauty without its drawbacks.

“Porcelain tile made to look like wood has been a trend in the tile industry for a couple of years now, but it has been growing in popularity in recent years due to its low-maintenance care,” says Katie Michael-Battaglia, design director at Nemo Tile and New York Chapter president of the International Interior Design Association.

“Wood, a natural product that expands and contracts, is susceptible to environmental influences when involved in applications and installations,” she continues. “Porcelain as a material is easier to maintain than wood, and the product is also thinner, which is great for areas where a wood floor might require more depth.”

This is exemplified by Nemo Tile’s new “Via Emilia” collection, which takes the trend to a heightened contemporary level with an industrial, shabby-chic appeal, depicting wood planks and squares with a distressed appearance and texture. A unique aspect of the collection is that it includes a 24-by-24-inch square tile.